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Lesley - without having been to all the relevant locations my understanding is that C serotinus and C goulimyi would be unlikely to experience prolonged winter snow cover while C nudiflorus and C banaticus probably would. In other words the crocus with generally lowland distribution/mediteranean type climate are more likely to flower in autumn, with leaves. ... Now I'm sure your next reply will offer some which do not fit this theory!!
And assuming all the above is correct, why do some autumn crocuses flower with their leaves while other don;t make leaves until 4-6 months later?
Quote from: Lesley Cox on October 22, 2008, 07:26:13 PMAnd assuming all the above is correct, why do some autumn crocuses flower with their leaves while other don;t make leaves until 4-6 months later? Lesley,The answer is very simple...Snow!!!For example: C. hermoneus, palasii, cancellatus and many others as well as some Colchicum that grow at high altitudes flower in autumn, October-November, by the end of November snow covers the ground for at least 4 months, which mean that plants cant make photosynthesis and/or leaves would freez to death, there for they will set leaves the minute snow melts